Climate change talks must have idea of justice: Amartya

Sen is clear that if India accepts a deal on climate change, it will have to be just and fair, writes Nivedita Mukherjee.

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Nivedita Mukherjee

New Delhi

December 17, 2009

UPDATED: December 17, 2009 15:35 IST

Climate change is not just about controlling emissions and earning carbon credits. At least not for Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen to whom it is also about social contract justice. Sen is clear that if India accepts a deal on climate change, it will have to be just and fair, and commensurate to India's status as a minor emitter. "India must stress this fact in the global community. It may contribute to future emissions, and therefore it should play a leadership role in global discussions on climate change," says Sen.

The Laurerate was speaking at the inaugural plenary of Ideas India 2009, organized by Aspen Institute India which promotes values-based leadership, open dialogue and cross-sector outreach by engaging the civil society, inclusive of business, NGOs, governments, and other stakeholders on issues related to India's development.

On climate change talks, the Harvard Professor of Economics and Philosophy said that India's thinking as a small polluter must be better clarified to the world. Sen admitted that while USA would not accept a protocol which did not include mandatory obligations from India and China, India needs to push for a 'fairer and juster deal', but not forget commitments based on justice. As a global voice for smaller developing countries, Sen made it clear that India should also take into account their concerns regarding development and the impact its own development will have on emissions in the future. "By force of idea, we have the opportunity to present to the world what should be done, rather than what should not be done," he stated.

Sen's recent book The Idea of Justice is based on the philosophy that justice should not look for perfection but should focus on improvement through removal of injustice and by looking at the conditions on the ground. Undernourishment, subjugation of women, lack of healthcare, illiteracy and other issues are dimensions of injustice, according to Sen.

Terming their continued existence as 'intolerable' in terms of nyaya, he said that India's voice must have an impact on global thinking on injustice. Sen stressed on the need for expanding the paradigm of development to embrace freedoms of the poorest people. It was high time political parties, media and civil society become more vocal in demanding progress on alleviation of hunger, illiteracy and ill-health.

On the co-existence in China of a market-led economy and a totalitarian government. Sen responded that China's leadership brought in reforms on education and healthcare before market reforms, and that India had much to learn from it on the management of the market economy. On the other hand, India could offer learnings on democracy to China. He added that internal dialogue in China was very strong, and this enabled the country to be pragmatic on economic liberalisation.

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